Chapleau Peace Park Flower Bed Adoption Event Coming

Flower beds at Chapleau's Louis Dube Peace Park will be up for "adoption" early next month.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains members of the Peace Park group will hold an event at the park to help people choose flower beds to adopt.

Mayor Levesque emphasizes there isn't a large responsibility for adopted flower beds, assuring those who adopt don't even need to plant the flowers, just ensure care and maintenance, such as weeding of the bed.
The event will be held on Saturday, June 2nd, from 10 to 2.

Chapleau Town Council to Consider Budget

Chapleau Town Council's preparing to pass the annual budget.
That's the main item on tonight's agenda - adopting the 2018 Municipal Budget - though Council's also set to consider by-laws for a Municipal Automotive Material Services Agreement and funding for the Ontario Main Street Revitalization Initiative.
Also on the agenda are resolutions: approving the design of the Civic Centre rear entrance canopy and authorizing the CAO to issue a tender package for that work; opening and recording bids for the Public Works pickup truck; awarding the tender for kitchen equipment; and authorizing a purchase order for water main valves and galvanized pipe at the recreation centre.
Council will also consider a request from Ecole Secondaire Catholique Trillium for a daytime fire permit, the Fire Chief's recommendation for an appointment to the Fire Department Auxiliary Force, and a request with respect to graduation at Chapleau High School.
The agenda also includes updates on the airport renovation and the multi-use centre project, and correspondence from Goldcorp Borden Gold, IAMGOLD, Canadian Pacific Railway, and Chapleau Health Services.
Open for everyone to attend, the meeting begins at 6:30 tonight, in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

Amber Alert Over For Child in Northwestern Ontario

An Amber Alert's been cancelled, as police have located a young boy who was last seen in the Thunder Bay area.
Ontario Provincial Police issued the alert shortly after 11 o'clock this morning, saying they were looking for an 8-year-old boy and a 47-year-old woman, but the alert was withdrawn about two hours later, with officials saying the child has been located safe.
While the OPP have confirmed a child abduction investigation is ongoing, no other details have been given, including the relationship between the boy and the woman, who share a last name.

Highway 17 Reopened In Time For Mother's Day

Some good news for drivers hoping to head south toward Sault Ste. Marie: Highway 17 has reopened in time for Mother's Day.
Ontario's Ministry of Transportation is reporting that the highway has fully reopened between Wawa and the Sault - it was closed around 5:30 Friday evening, after a culvert was washed out, creating a sinkhole and making it unsafe for vehicles.
Repair work was done on Saturday, with the culvert replaced.

Wawa Chess Tournament Returns For Fifth Year

Young chess masters are gathering in Wawa today.
Wawa's École Saint-Joseph is hosting its fifth Franco-Nord-Ouest Chess Tournament, bringing players from French schools in the region and dividing them into four categories: grades three and four; five and six; seven and eight; and secondary school.
They'll compete as individuals and teams.
Teacher and organizer René-Guy Nobert says attendance has been strong in the past, and is expected to be quite high this year - with half of those attending coming from schools other than École Saint-Joseph.

Nobert notes - unlike past years - this year's tournament will be held at École Saint-Joseph, using its gymnasium and the St. Joseph French Immersion gym.
He also notes parents are welcome, but reminds there are some guidelines to ensure fair and quiet play for the tournament, which runs from 9 to 3 today.

Early Morning Power Outage Planned For Wawa Area

Another early morning power outage is expected tonight.
Algoma Power says a planned loss of supply from its transmission provider means there will be a "service interruption" for all customers in the Town of Wawa, Michipicoten Village, Harbor Circuit, and Highway 17 North and South of Wawa from 11:55 p-m until 4 a-m tomorrow.
It says the outage is needed for transmission equipment replacement.
Algoma Power also reminds you should not perform any work in conjunction with the outage - due to safety concerns - emphasizing that the length of the outage could shorten or extend, depending on how effectively and efficiently the needed work is done.

Wawa Municipal Council Welcomes New Members

Wawa Municipal Council has a couple new members.
Julia Rowe and Pat Tait were officially sworn-in as councillors at the start of Tuesday night's Council meeting, filling two vacant Council seats.
Speaking after she was chosen to be a councillor two weeks ago, Rowe - a Michipicoten High School teacher and former acting vice principal - stated she was "really looking forward to the opportunity to represent the people of Wawa" and work with the other members of Council, emphasizing her ability to listen to people as a key part she brings to her new role.
 

When he was selected to fill the role two weeks ago, Tait noted he'd been interested in joining council "for a while" and has "ample time" to give it his full attention, as he's now retired after a career which included working as an A-O-D welder, and working at Weyerhaeuser, Wesdome, and Rentech - but he notes his past work experience will help on Council.
 

The new councillors will serve the remainder of the current term, which ends at the end of November.

Wawa's Third Annual Seniors Expo Arrives

Wawa seniors and others are being encouraged to learn more about services in the community, as the Seniors Expo returns for a third year.
Wawa Family Health Team Geriatric Program Coordinator Jolene Binda explains the event - officially branded the "Seniors Information and Active Living Fair Northern Tour 2018" - is intended as a chance for people to socialize, but also learn about services and resources are available for seniors in town.
 

While the event generally works as a "come-and-go", Binda notes there are also scheduled presentations this year.

Binda notes lunch will also be served, while the Sault Rising Stars will perform for an hour, as well.
The Seniors Expo runs from 10:00 am until 2 pm, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Superior East OPP Kept Busy During Easter Weekend

Local police were kept busy over the Easter long weekend.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say its detachments responded to 109 calls for service, with two Criminal Code charges laid, and 60 provincial offence notices issued.
Officers also conducted "many hours" of road safety and traffic enforcement in the region.
The Superior East OPP has detachments in Wawa, Chapleau, White River, and Hornepayne.

Wawa Man Facing Sexual Assault and Drug Charges

A Wawa man's facing multiple charges stemming from a sexual assault investigation.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the investigation was launched last Wednesday, assisted by the Sault Ste. Marie O-P-P Crime Unit, with a 30-year-old Wawa man arrested and charged with sexual assault, possession of under 30 grams of a schedule II substance (cannabis marihuana), and possession of a schedule III substance, which is not specified.
The man has been released from custody on a promise to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Wawa early next month.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Spring Campaign Underway

Following the Easter holiday, Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is asking residents to "spring ahead to better health care".
The organization's annual spring campaign is now underway, and Lina Rody explains it's one of two major fundraisers, along with the winter Wish campaign, supporting equipment purchases for the local hospital.

Rody reminds donations can be mailed in, made online, or dropped off at the foundation office or hospital - the campaign officially runs until the end of April.

Wawa Municipal Council Chooses 2 New Councillors

Wawa Municipal Council will soon have a couple new members.
After hearing from four candidates to fill the seats formerly held by Yvan Besner and Tamara Liddle, Council has chosen to appoint Pat Tait and Julia Rowe as councillors - they'll serve out the remainder of the current term, which ends at the end of November.
Julia Rowe - a teacher at Michipicoten High School who has also served as acting vice principal at the school - says she is "really looking forward to the opportunity to represent the people of Wawa" and work with the other members of Council, emphasizing her ability to listen to people as a key part she brings to her new role.
 

Pat Tait - a former Algoma Ore Division welder who'd also worked at Weyerhaeuser, Wesdome, and Rentech - says it "feels good" to be appointed - noting he's been interested in joining council "for a while" and has "ample time" to give it his full attention, as he's now retired - but he notes his past work experience will help on Council.

Before announcing the resolution - which was passed unanimously - Mayor Ron Rody commended all four candidates (Rowe, Tait, Cathy Cannon, and Robert Reece), saying they all have "potential" to be councillors, and encouraging them all to run in the upcoming municipal election this fall.
Rowe and Tait are expected to be sworn-in during the April 10th regular meeting of Council.

Wawa Teen Hoping to Be Miss North Ontario Winding Down Sponsorship Drive

A Wawa teen's wrapping up a key part in her bid to become Miss North Ontario.
Sarah Morris explains one requirement for the pageant is that she raise $600 in advertising and sponsorships, which includes a "Wish Me Luck" page she's started.

Morris says she plans to submit her advertising and sponsorships on Monday, encouraging anyone interested to contact her by email at morris.kj.sarah@gmail.com or by calling 705-852-0997.
She's also raising funds supporting the pageant's favoured charity, Northern Ontario Families of Children With Cancer, but notes she can raise funds for that cause up until the pageant, which is the final weekend of April

Meeting For Potential Wawa Councillors Delayed

Wawa Municipal Council will wait a little longer to choose two new colleagues.
A notice from the Municipality says the special meeting scheduled for Thursday night has been rescheduled to Monday, March 26th.
The meeting will give each of the four candidates - Catherine Cannon, Robert Reece, Julia Rowe, and Pat Tait - a chance to make a short statement to Council, who will then ask the candidates a few questions before choosing two of them to fill the vacant seats.
As with most Council meetings, the March 26th special meeting will be held at 6 pm in Council Chambers.

Wawa Municipal Council to Consider Water Rates

Water rates will be a big focus as Wawa Municipal Council meets tonight.
Included on the agenda is a presentation from KPMG on the water rate by-law, which will cover water meters installed in recent years.
Council will also consider the 2018 Capital Budget, as well as a staff recommendation to purchase a landfill compactor, and a proposed zoning by-law amendment for 683E Highway 17 North.
There are also two in-camera items on the agenda, both legal issues relating to offers to purchase properties on Highway 101 and Third Avenue.
This is the last regular meeting before Council is expected to fill two vacant seats - a meeting to hear from the four candidates is scheduled for Thursday night.
Aside from the in-camera items, tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6 o'clock in Council Chambers.

Wawa Teen Hoping to Be Miss North Ontario

A Wawa teen is asking for support as she is campaigning to become Miss North Ontario.
Sarah Morris explains she's representing Wawa in the pageant as a way to help promote the community.

Morris notes she needs to raise $600 in advertising and sponsorships - including through a "Wish Me Luck" page - by March 26th, and encourages anyone interested to contact her by email at morris.kj.sarah@gmail.com or by calling 705-852-0997.
She'll also be raising funds supporting the pageant's charity, Northern Ontario Families of Children With Cancer, through a tea and bake sale at the Mission Motors customer appreciation day event from 11 to 2 Friday.

Almost Time to "Spring Forward" As Daylight Saving Time Arrives

Get ready to lose a little more sleep over the next few days.
Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend, and that means it's time to "spring ahead", setting clocks forward an hour at 2 am Sunday.
If you're planning to head to sleep before then, it's recommended you set your clock ahead before going to bed.
Fire officials also recommend taking this opportunity to check or change batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Hawk Junction Family Fishing Derby Nearly Here

Hawk Junction is welcoming anglers of all ages this weekend.
The Hawk Junction Annual Family Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, March 10th, offering trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the adult and youth (under 16 years of age) categories, as well as random prize draws.
Registration will be held at the Hawk Junction Community Hall from 6 pm to 8 pm tonight and 7 am to 11 am tomorrow morning, with fishing from 8 am to 3:30 pm tomorrow - the weigh-in deadline is 4 pm.

Wawa Marks International Women's Day

Wawa women are marking International Women's Day with a special event today.
CHADWIC Home Executive Director Paula Valois explains the event will be "fun and interactive", including a light lunch and information booths from local service providers - all focusing on the theme of "Press for Change".

Valois says one hope from the event is that women understand there is still "a long way to go towards achieving equality"

All women are invited to today's event, which runs from 11 to 2 in the Community Centre Banquet Room.
Valois notes the community bus is available for any women who need transportation to attend, with CHADWIC Home covering that cost.

Potential Wawa Councillors Revealed

Four potential councillors will appear before Wawa Municipal Council next week.
The Municipality of Wawa's Deputy Clerk, Cathy Cyr, has confirmed to JJAM FM News that Catherine Cannon, Julia Rowe, Pat Tait, and Robert Reece are the four candidates to fill two vacant seats.
A fifth expression of interest was received, but after the deadline, so it was not considered.
Council is using a process similar to the one used to replace Councillor James Neufeld in August 2015.
Mayor Ron Rody explained that process after it was confirmed by Council two weeks ago.

In addition to the names of the candidates, Deputy Clerk Cathy Cyr has confirmed that the interviews will be done in a special meeting will be held next week, at 6 pm on Thursday, March 15th, just days after the next regular meeting of Council, which will be held Tuesday, March 13th.
As usual, the meeting will be held in Council Chambers and will be open to the public to attend.